RED SPRINGS – East Bladen raced to a 13-1 lead en route to a 14-4 Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball mercy rule victory over Red Springs Friday night.
The Eagles jumped in front with a 5-run 1st inning, then added 2 runs in the 2nd, then 6 more runs in the 3rd inning that grew the lead to 13-1.
Sophomore Tyler Johnson led off the game with a walk, and Ethan Johnson slapped a single through the right side. Junior Evan Pait hammered a triple to left field that scored Tyler Johnson and Ethan Johnson. Junior Zamar Lewis ripped a single to left that plated senior Ahmad Powell, the courtesy runner for Pait.
Lewis stole 2nd and 3rd bases and dashed home when senior Raymond Autry banged a single off the pitcher. Autry stole 2nd base and scooted home with the 5th run of the inning when junior Weston Hatcher laced a single to center field.
Tyler Johnson walked, and Ethan Johnson raked a single past shortstop to start the Eagle 2nd inning. Tyler Johnson dashed to 3rd base on an error and scored when Pait lifted a sacrifice fly to right field. Junior Garrison Tatum knocked in Tyler Johnson with a single that pushed the Eagle lead to 7-1.
Junior Coleman Tatum reached base on catcher’s interference to begin the Eagle 3rd inning. Junior Marlan Davis and Tyler Johnson drew walks. Coleman Tatum sprinted home on a passed ball, and Pait yanked a single to left that scored Davis and Tyler Johnson.
Powell, the courtesy runner for Pait, stole 2nd base and scored on an error as Lewis reached base. Lewis stole 2 bases before scoring when Garrison Tatum slammed a double to left field. Autry spanked a single to right that scored senior Chase Starkloff, the courtesy runner for Garrison Tatum, and stretched the lead to 13-1.
Tyler Johnson cracked a 2-out single in the Eagle 5th inning, stole 2nd base, went to 3rd on an error, and scampered home when Ethan Johnson drilled a single to center field.
Ethan Johnson batted 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and a run batted in to lead the Eagle hitters. Pait knocked in 5 runs with a 2-3 performance that included a 2-run triple. Autry batted 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Garrison Tatum finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and 2 RBIs.
Tyler Johnson singled, walked 3 times, and scored 4 runs. Lewis singled, scored twice, and had an RBI. Hatcher singled and had an RBI. Powell scored 2 runs, and Coleman Tatum, Davis, and Starkloff scored 1 run each.
Pait pitched the first 4 innings for the Eagles to pick up the win, allowing 3 unearned runs on 5 hits while striking out eight. Coleman Tatum worked an inning of relief and allowed an unearned run, and struck out one batter.
Red Devil starter Lenny Berrios pitched 2.1 innings and allowed 10 runs on 7 hits and 5 walks. At the plate, Berrios was 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored. Jacob Locklear was 2-3 at the plate with 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Coach Grant Pait’s Eagles improved to 4-2 in SAC-7 play and 8-4 overall. East Bladen will travel to St. Pauls Tuesday night.
East Bladen 526 10 – 14-12-4
Red Springs 102 01 – 4- 5- 5
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